LETTER: Shine light on hidden illness

Thousands of rapes occur on our servicewomen by men with whom they serve here and abroad in Afghanistan.

Last October, two sailors in Japan raped a 20-year-old woman, stealing $75 from her. A Japanese court sentenced one to serve 10 years, the other nine. I wager that if rapists got such sentences every time a woman or child was victimized, we'd see less of this despicable crime. Why are these horrid acts skimmed over so lightly here and around the world?

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The severe emotional, mental and spiritual scarring follows the victim the rest of her life, strangling and warping her capacity to engage in and fully enjoy human sexual activity. It is time this hidden illness is brought out into the open. It is time, as with the Japanese courts, that all offenders are prosecuted and punished.

Why are we so fascinated with violence? When did it begin?

Why do men hate women and children enough to abuse them in this way? We need to get to the root cause! Men in other countries violate girls as young as 3 and 4 years old and it is called "cultural"? Here, child porn is alive and well. Where is the worldwide outrage?

Let us fall down on our knees and give thanks to the new Violence Against Women Bill recently signed and so long overdue.